With the inconsistency of Higgins—through both injuries and healthy times—and the slump that Plekanec has been suffering through most of the season, both of these players may need a change of scenery. Plekanec's slump has been mostly due to Alex Kovalev's mediocre season.

For Gorges, he is hard to move, and PK Subban even less so.

As for O'Byrne, he's definitely expendable, especially considering all the big-name prospects coming up through the system. These include Subban and Yannick Weber.

Such a large deal—but why not deal the players who are more expendable?

How about it, Mr. Gainey?

Whatever the deal is, it has to be better than Gainey's deadline deals last season.

Now we sit, watch, and wait.

Matt Eichel is the Community Leader for the Montreal Canadiens here on Bleacher Report. Matt also co-hosts Habs All Out Radio, a in-depth talk radio show devoted to all things Montreal Canadiens. It airs weekly at www.youcastr.com/shows/habs-all-out and is hosted by Matt and Miah D.